Division I Men

Loyola To Be Featured on ESPN NFL Countdown

from press release

BALTIMORE – The road to the 2012 NCAA
Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship was paved with many
milestones, victories and pep talks for the Loyola University
Maryland Greyhounds. One pre-practice speech on aWednesday
afternoon stands out for the players.

Baltimore Ravens All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis stopped by Ridley
Athletic Complex on May 16 as the team was concluding a film
session. Head Coach Charley Toomey only said that the coaches were
bringing someone in who needed no introduction, and he was
right.

Lewis stepped from an adjoining conference room to a chorus of
gasps and applause, and he delivered a 12-minute pep talk about
preparation, what it takes to be a champion and having the back of
teammates.

The 17-year National Football League veteran has made it a habit
to deliver speeches similar to the one he gave the Greyhounds the
week before they defeated the University of Denver in the NCAA
Quarterfinals.

"We were fortunate to have the father of (then-senior) Kevin
Moriarty (Ravens' Vice President of Football Administration Pat
Moriarty) who served as a liaison between the team and us," Toomey
said. "We talked to the team about how with each step through the
(NCAA) Tournament, special thingswould continue to happen, and to
have Ray Lewis was absolutely amazing. Hismessage was on-point, and
I know our players will remember it as long as they remember the
championship."

A camera crew from ESPN's NFL Countdown visited Ridley this
summer and talked to several Loyola players about the experience.
This Sunday, October 7, the segment will air on the ESPN show that
runs from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (Eastern Time).

Junior Pat Laconi is featured in the piece that will feature
some of Lewis' speeches and an interview from the two-time
Defensive Player of the Year.

The Greyhounds, who will receive their NCAA Championship rings
in a ceremony this evening, will play their only contest of the
fall on Saturday, October 13, when they host Villanova University
at 1 p.m.